dedicated to the fairer sex

Shake it out

I’ve got a lot of really great songs on my iPod, but there are some that stand out as real gems– songs that totally suck me in and long to see the song and the performer live. “Shake it Out” by Florence + The Machine is one of those songs and artists. Unfortunately the only show I was able to find anywhere near me was too expensive to purchase tickets at the time (I was a bit broke) and then quickly sold out. Still got my fingers crossed for one day…

I’ve been trying to figure out whether or not the lyrics are as upbeat as the mood it evokes in me when listening to the song. The chorus in particular leaves me all smiling, uplifted, inspired:

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaahShake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaaahAnd it’s hard to dance with a devil on your backSo shake him off, oh woah

It speaks to me the notion that you can’t enjoy life– you can’t dance– if you’re carrying around too many unnecessary burdens that you can instead just shake off. I try and live my life by the philosophy of not sweating the small stuff, not getting upset over stupid things. Those become devils you put on your own back.

So shake him off! Hell yeah!

But then I read this part of the song:

And I’m damned if I do and I’m damned if I don’tSo here’s to drinks in the dark at the end of my roadAnd I’m ready to suffer and I’m ready to hopeIt’s a shot in the dark and right at my throatCause looking for heaven, found the devil in meLooking for heaven, found the devil in meWell what the hell I’m gonna let it happen to me

Which leaves me wondering… is the character in the song’s story unable to shake off that devil? Is she unable to dance? If that’s the case then the song isn’t actually all that uplifting, no?

I know often that songs, like poems, like some stories can be purposely vague, allowing the person listening or reading to fill a lot in with their own perceptions and experiences, to create a piece of art unique to themselves. I suspect that’s what’s going on here… and if so I’m curious– what are your feelings and thoughts when you listen to this song?

Or am I just blatantly missing the real tone/message of the song?

Full lyrics behind the cut:

———————————————————

Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play
And every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues drawn
It’s always darkest before the dawn

And I’ve been a fool and I’ve been blind
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I’m always dragging that horse around
And our love is pastured such a mournful sound
Tonight I’m gonna bury that horse in the ground
So I like to keep my issues drawn
But it’s always darkest before the dawn

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaaah
And it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I’m gonna cut it out and then restart
Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
It’s always darkest before the dawn

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
And it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah
And it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back so shake him off

And given half the chance would I take any of it back
It’s a fine romance but its left me so undone
It’s always darkest before the dawn

Oh woah, oh woah…

And I’m damned if I do and I’m damned if I don’t
So here’s to drinks in the dark at the end of my road
And I’m ready to suffer and I’m ready to hope
It’s a shot in the dark and right at my throat
Cause looking for heaven, found the devil in me
Looking for heaven, found the devil in me
Well what the hell I’m gonna let it happen to me

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
And it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
And it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah